Kohler is working hard to prepare for its appearance at the WIAA Girls State Tennis Team Championships after blowing through its sectional, and this year, there's a little extra motivation for the Blue Bombers.

A year ago, Kohler made its inaugural trip to team state, and it didn't exactly go as planned. Head coach Brad Hoffmann said his team ran into the buzz-saw that was eventual champion Edgewood in the semifinal round.

"We went down last year and it was our first time ever in school history," he said. "We ended up having to face the No. 1 team and got beat 7-0 right off the bat."

It's a different story this year though. The Blue Bombers instead drew Eau Claire Regis in the semis, an opponent they're very familiar with.

"We lost to Regis early in the season 4-3," Hoffmann said. "It was a match that could have gone either way. We lost to them later in the season 6-1. I told all the girls that this is going to be extremely competitive. It's likely going to be 4-3 either way. It's probably going to come down to one match."

Jamie Lewis, a No. 1 doubles player, said the fact that the team competed at last year's tournament could be a small advantage this year.

"I think it's an advantage because of the environment," she said. "We're used to the arena. We want to play our best, bond as a team and hopefully get through the first round."

Grace Madigan, one half of the No. 3 doubles team and a captain, said she's excited for for the tournament.

"I just want us to go out and do our best," she said. "Even if we don't get the 7-0 win or win it all, I just want us to go out there and give it our all. I'm expecting a lot of cheering, not necessarily for us. I'm expecting a ton of parents and fans from the school to be there. It's going to be an all-around energetic atmosphere."

Against an Eau Claire Regis team that Kohler matches up well with, Madigan said the match will likely be decided on the singles side.

"We need to win a majority of our singles matches," she said. "In the past, we won our doubles matches, but not our singles matches, so everyone needs to go out and play as hard as they can."

Whether they win or lose, Hoffmann said competing at team state is something few teams get the opportunity to do.

"In order to get to team state, you have to have a great performance at sectionals," he said. "In most seasons, you never get the chance to go to team state. It is a unique opportunity and it's a good team experience. It's something all the girls get to experience together. A lot of players, after it's all over, they wish they had the opportunity to go to team state, even the ones who went to individual state."

Kohler will face Regis at 9 a.m. Saturday and the winner will advance to the championship match at 2 p.m. against either Edgewood or Pacelli.